BSNL slashes mobile call rates by 80% for existing customers

Last month, the operator had rolled out the same scheme for new customers.

Independence Day 2016 offers: Aircel offering unlimited calls and data for 1 day. A man speaks on a mobile phone at a marketplace in New Delhi June 18, 2013. [Representational Image]Reuters

State-owned telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) on Friday said that it has slashed mobile call rates by 80% for its existing customers. The operator added that the new offer will be effective from Saturday, 16 January.

Last month, the operator had rolled out the same scheme for new customers.

"Earlier, BSNL had reduced call rate by up to 80 per cent for its new prepaid mobile customers only and now the same has been extended for existing BSNL prepaid users also," the company stated.

The new tariff will be applicable for both per-minute and per-second billing plans.

"Our tariffs are most competitive in the sector having largest network coverage. Two new special tariff vouchers have also been introduced," Press Trust of India quoted BSNL Board Director (Consumer Mobility) RK Mittal as saying.

In December last year, BSNL had launched the scheme for new customers, including those who register for Mobile Number Portability (MNP). To avail the scheme, customers have to buy the plan voucher of Rs 36 for the per-second plan or Rs 37 for the per-minute plan.

The operator is coming up with various tariff plans to gain more customers as there is fierce competition among the players in the telecom sector.

The company saw 157,564 people shifting to its network through MNP during July to November period in 2015. It witnessed 124,158 customers leaving its network during the same period.

BSNL had a subscriber base of 79.6 million in the mobile segment by the end of September last year and was among the top five operators in the country during the month.